By Teodora Vamvu
You pound on my door, hair disheveled, hollow-cheeked, and haggard-faced. You plead in a coarse voice, and the rotten stumps affixed to inflamed gums give you the appearance of a hastily put-together Halloween mask.
“Mom, please, I need a place to sleep tonight.”
I tried helping you, countless times. Instead, my efforts of love were met head-on with your efforts for a quick fix.
Still, I let you in.
I can go without a TV or the cash in my wallet but God, let me not see the day when there won’t be enough of you left to steal from me.
This is deeply moving.
Thank you so much!
So much is said and felt with so few words. Grand job!
Thanks a lot, sweetheart!
It’s incredible how masterfully you painted (in only 101 words) a portrait of addiction.
(brilliant choice to invoke the Halloween aesthetic to showcase the mother’s perspective of her daughter’s horrific state)
I particularly loved the last sentence. It echos reality in a devastating matter and it underlines the fact that it’s a lose-lose situation.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this thoughtful feedback!
Yes, the last sentence, encapsulating what really matters in the long run. Steal everything, but not my love, my compassion, my very soul.
And hopefully, there won’t come a day when addiction will steal her daughter from her forever. Thank you!
A powerful portrait of addiction and a mother’s love for her child.
Thank you so much!
Very moving and powerful. Well done.
Thanks a lot!
So powerful!!
Thank you!
Your description of the young girls addiction and the anguish of her mother is spot on. This is is short, well written and insightful.
Thank you kindly!
Amazing! these 101 words would resonate with millions of people. Seems we all have or know of a family member who is addicted. The line “still, I let you in.”, tore at my heart. Well done
Indeed, it feels like stories of addiction are inescapable in this day and age. Thank you for your kind words!
Heartbreaking.
Thank you kindly!